Over here the vast majority of clubs are technically private. Most clubs accept visitors (with restrictions) but playing at the times you are likely to want to play (ie weekends) is expensive and tee times are hard to get.
There are many true municipal courses, and SOME are not bad. But most are beaten up cattle trails. Even average quality private courses are better than most munis. There are of course exceptions to this!
The weekend visitor rate at most decent courses near here is £30 or more. If I play every weekend that is £120 a month. My monthly payment at the club is £68. The other £52 is in my pocket, buying beer, gear, and sweeteners for the Mrs.
There are some other benefits - at my club there is no need to book a tee time. You just turn up and play. You can go straight back on to the first tee after 18 if you find yourself with time for an extra nine. By and large the on-course etiquette is superior to the munis, where chavs and tearaways have open access. There is a social scene if you choose to partake. There is a local pro who can get to know your game and work with over the long term. There are also leagues and inter-club matches along with the intra-mural competitions.
In the UK most serious golfers are members of private clubs. This is in decline, and one thing cluns are doing to tackle it is forming alliances that give you access to a number of other clubs for one fee, or reduced visitor rates.
I like to play different courses, and we do. I've probably notched up six or seven new ones this year. But having a home course where you feel instantly comfortable is a good thing IMO
Rock on in the uk i think we get it slightly better we alos have no tee time bookings at my club, unless its a comp, then its never hard to get a game if you are a single. As for cost i play close to 150 rounds a year, so when you consider i am paying £600 per year for membership or just over a $1000 it works out about £4 or $10 bucks a round. If you ask me thats pretty good. I definately agree having a home course is great you would be suprised how many people you get to know. I am planning to emmigrate to Canada soon and i am already looking for somewhere to join. I would hate o play at a public course all the time they are usually very crowded. I think private clubs are best but hey i am biased.
November 10th, 2005, 11:49 AM
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